By Bruno Waterfield - 18th July 2004
Belgium’s next European commissioner is set to be the country’s former foreign minister Louis Michel after a government reshuffle.
Michel is set to replace current EU research chief when a new Brussels executive is formed on November 1.
Portfolios in the new EU executive under the leadership of former Portuguese leader José Durão Barroso will be announced on August 23.
Belgium is expected to be fairly low in the national pecking order that will see the EU’s biggest countries scoop up plum jobs and powerful policy areas.
Michel – a former language teacher – has been Belgium’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister since July 12 1999.
Forming a double act with Belgian leader Guy Verhofstadt, Michel was prominent in European opposition to the US-led war in Iraq.
Verhofstadt’s anti-war and EU federalist stance sank his June bid to become commission chief creating a place for the 57-year old Michel – said to be more anti-US and pro-European than his boss.
Belgium’s new foreign minister – to be confirmed on Tuesday – is Karel De Gucht.
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